The sun came out as Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his wife Mary arrived at the US vice president's residence on the grounds of the US Naval Observatory.
US Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha came down the steps to greet their guests with warm smiles and handshakes.
As they stood at the door, flanked by the American and Irish flags, a member of the press pool called out for another handshake.
"We’d do anything for the cameras," the vice president joked.
Then it was inside for a quick chat in the library before moving into the breakfast room.
Among the gathered guests was Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy as well as Irish Ambassador to the United States Geraldine Byrne Nason.
The cordial atmosphere continued inside with Mr Vance saying that with this breakfast he hoped to remind people of the "important bonds of friendship between the United States and Ireland".
He added it was also a "great opportunity" for his wife, Usha, to wear the green trousers that she has had in her closet "for years".
Mr Vance was sporting a pair of shamrock socks.
He jokingly asked the Taoiseach if he would defend his sock choice later in the Oval Office if US President Donald Trump questions his attire.
Mr Vance also reminisced about a road trip to Ireland that he and his wife had taken and spoke warmly about the "incredible community" and "beautiful landscapes" alongside "a lot of interesting technological growth".
The vice president said that one of the most robust areas for the US to work with Ireland in the coming years was in technology, particularly artificial intelligence.
When the Taoiseach took the podium, he thanked the vice president and second lady for opening their home to him and the people of Ireland.
He said the US was a "steadfast friend to Ireland", having been the first country to recognise Ireland’s independence.
He spoke about the history of Irish immigration to the United States and how Irish Americans "continue to make their mark on America" in politics, the arts and business.
Keen to stress the economic ties between the two countries, Mr Martin said that Ireland "is now in the top ten as a source of foreign direct investment into the United States, supporting many, many jobs across the country".
The Taoiseach will no doubt find himself representing not just his own country today, but the European Union - just as the bloc announced retaliatory tariffs on €26 billion on US goods.
He will be hoping the lighthearted tone set at the vice president’s breakfast continues through the day.
